Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the BlackBerry 8820, the first BlackBerry to combine EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for data access and voice support through UMA (unlicensed mobile access). Featuring RIM's thinnest smartphone design with a full QWERTY keyboard, large and bright display (320 x 240 px), trackball navigation system, the BlackBerry 8820 also includes built-in GPS (Global Positioning System), RIM's latest media player enhancements, and a microSD / microSDHC (microSD High Capacity) expandable memory slot that can support microSD memory cards up to 32 GB.

RIM BlackBerry 8820 More Photos View Specs

Supporting 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi standards, BlackBerry 8820 users can access data through public hotspots and wireless home networks. The smartphone works with both BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service and can switch between cellular networks and a Wi-Fi network to allow users to access email, Instant Messaging, organizer, web browsing and other mobile data applications.

The BlackBerry 8820 is compliant with Wi-Fi security protocols including WEP (Wireless Equivalency Protocol), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2, as well as Cisco Compatible Extensions for simple, secure connectivity with Cisco wireless solutions. For enterprises that require Wi-Fi users to access the corporate network through a VPN (Virtual Private Network), the BlackBerry 8820 includes IPSec-based software that supports the most commonly deployed VPN gateways from vendors including Cisco, Check Point and others.

Allowing carriers to offer a fixed-mobile convergence service for both business and home use, with a UMA solution in place, the BlackBerry 8820 can switch voice calls between a wireless carrier's cellular network and a Wi-Fi network.

The BlackBerry 8820 is a quad-band GSM/GPRS and EDGE-enabled smartphone that provides global wireless voice and data capabilities including:

- Advanced noise cancellation for enhanced audio performance and easy-to-use phone features including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing and call forwarding
- High-quality, low-distortion speakerphone and Bluetooth 2.0 for use with hands-free headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
- Built-in GPS to pinpoint its location and provide support for a wide variety of location-based applications and services, including BlackBerry Maps
- Expansion Memory Slot to support both microSD (up to 2 GB) and microSDHC (4 GB to 32 GB) memory cards
- BlackBerry Internet Service, giving users the ability to manage up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration features within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments
- Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) and BlackBerry media player refinements, allowing users to play music and search by simply typing the title, genre, artist or album name
- Videos can also be played in full screen mode
- Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry introduces a new level of simplicity by allowing users to easily search for media files on their computer, view and organize them, create MP3 music files from CDs, add audio tags, create playlists and automatically copy or convert pictures, music and videos for optimal playback on the smartphone
- Ultra-thin, high-capacity, removable battery that further extends the exceptional battery life

The BlackBerry 8820 will be available from select wireless carriers around the world in the coming weeks. AT&T is scheduled to launch the BlackBerry 8820 in the U.S. later this summer.

- RIM BlackBerry 8820 Specs